An earth leakage unit

Abstract: An earth leakage unit (10) includes a core (12); a live input terminal (26) for connection to a live supply cable; a neutral input terminal (28) for connection to a neutral supply cable; a live wire (14) connected to the live input terminal at one end and connectable to a load at its other end; a neutral wire (16) connected to the neutral input terminal at one end and connectable to the load at its other end, the live and neutral wires passing through the core; a primary coil (44) on the core for detecting a current imbalance between the live and neutral wires; an auxiliary coil (18) on the core; a current blocking device (20) in series with the auxiliary coil for permitting a current flow through the auxiliary coil when a voltage is applied across the auxiliary coil and the current blocking device that is greater than a predetermined value; a DC supply arrangement (30) connected between the live and neutral wires; and a test button (54) connected between the DC supply arrangement and the auxiliary coil. The unit is characterised in that the serially connected auxiliary coil and current blocking device are connected between the live and neutral wires such that current flows through the auxiliary coil only when the voltage between the live and neutral wires exceeds the predetermined value; a first end of the auxiliary coil is connected via the current blocking device to the live wire and a second opposite end is connected directly to the neutral wire; and the test button is connected to the first end of the auxiliary coil.

Description: THIS INVENTION relates to an earth leakage unit . GB-A-2 244 398 discloses an earth leakage unit having a core, a live input terminal for connection to a live supply cable, a neutral input terminal for connection to as neutral supply cable, a live wire connected to the live input terminal at one end and connectable to a load at its other end, a neutral wire connected to the neutral input terminal at one end and connectable to the load at its other end, the live and neutral wires passing through the core, a primary coil on the core for detecting a current imbalance between the live and neutral wires, an auxiliary coil on the core, a current blocking device in series with the auxiliary coil for permitting a current flow through the auxiliary coil when a voltage is applied across the auxiliary coil and the current blocking device that is greater than a predetermined value, a DC supply arrangement connected between the live and neutral wires, and a test button connected between the DC supply arrangement and a further coil. According to the invention there is provided an earth leakage unit which includes a core; a live input terminal for connection to a live supply cable; a neutral input terminal for connection to a neutral supply cable; a live wire connected to the live input terminal at one end and connectable to a load at its other end; a neutral wire connected to the neutral input terminal at one end and connectable to the load at its other end, the live and neutral wires passing through the core; a primary coil on the core for detecting a current imbalance between the live and neutral wires; an auxiliary coil on the core; a current blocking device in series with the auxiliary coil for permitting a current flow through the auxiliary coil when a voltage is applied across the auxiliary coil and the current blocking device that is greater than a predetermined value; a DC supply arrangement connected between the live and neutral wires; and a test button connected between the DC supply arrangement and the auxiliary coil; characterised thereby that the serially connected auxiliary coil and current blocking device are connected between the live and neutral wires such that current flows through the auxiliary coil only when the voltage between the live and neutral wires exceeds the predetermined value; a first end of the auxiliary coil is connected via the current blocking device to the live wire and a second opposite end is connected directly to the neutral wire; and the test button is connected to the first end of the auxiliary coil. It will be appreciated that the unit will trip if the voltage on the live line rises above a predetermined value thereby providing over-voltage protection. The current blocking device may conveniently comprise a pair of back-to-back zener diodes in series with a current limiting resistor. The test button may be connected directly to the first end of the auxiliary coil. The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawing which is a schematic circuit diagram of a portion of an earth leakage unit in accordance with the invention. Referring to Figure 1, an earth leakage unit in accordance with the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 60. It must be appreciated that the Figure does not show all the components of the earth leakage unit. Only those components relevant to the present invention are shown. As with conventional earth leakage units, the earth leakage unit 60 shown in Figure 1 has a core 12 through which a live wire 14 and a neutral wire 16 pass. The live wire 14 and neutral wire 16 are connected to input terminals 26 and 28 respectively via contacts 34. In use, the terminals 26 and 28 are connected to live and neutral supply cables. The live and neutral wires 14 and 16 are also connected to output terminals which, in use, are connected to a load (usually via a circuit breaker). A sensing coil 44 is wound on the core 12. The sensing coil 44 senses an imbalance in current in the wires 16 and 18. The earth leakage unit 60 further has an auxiliary coil 18 wound on the core 12. A first end of the coil 18 is connected to the live wire 14 via a pair of back-to-back zener diodes 20 and a resistor 22. The earth leakage unit 60 still further has a DC supply arrangement comprising a full wave rectifier 30 connected to the live wire 14 and neutral wire 16 via resistors and capacitors and connected to electronic circuitry (not shown) via leads 42. In use, if there is an imbalance in the current in the live wire 14 and neutral wire 16, this causes a magnetic field to be generated in the core 12 which induces a voltage in the sensing coil 44 which is detected by the electronic circuitry (not shown) and the contact 34 is operated. The rectifier 30 is connected to the junction between the zener diodes 20 and the coil 18 via a push button switch 54. If the switch 54 is closed current flows through the coil 18, thereby simulating a fault and causing the earth leakage unit 60 to trip. Further, if the supply voltage exceeds the predetermined value determined by the zener diodes 20, current will flow through the auxiliary coil 18 and the earth leakage unit 60 will trip.

Claims: An earth leakage unit (60) which includes a core (12); a live input terminal (26) for connection to a live supply cable; a neutral input terminal (28) for connection to a neutral supply cable; a live wire (14) connected to the live input terminal at one end and connectable to a load at its other end; a neutral wire (16) connected to the neutral input terminal at one end and connectable to the load at its other end, the live and neutral wires passing through the core; a primary coil (44) on the core for detecting a current imbalance between the live and neutral wires; an auxiliary coil (18) on the core; a current blocking device (20) in series with the auxiliary coil for permitting a current flow through the auxiliary coil when a voltage is applied across the auxiliary coil and the current blocking device that is greater than a predetermined value; a DC supply arrangement (30) connected between the live and neutral wires; and a test button (54) connected between the DC supply arrangement and the auxiliary coil; characterised thereby that the serially connected auxiliary coil (18) and current blocking device (20) are connected between the live and neutral wires (14, 16) such that current flows through the auxiliary coil (18) only when the voltage between the live and neutral wires exceeds the predetermined value; a first end of the auxiliary coil (18) is connected via the current blocking device (20) to the live wire (14) and a second opposite end is connected directly to the neutral wire (16); and the test button (54) is connected to the first end of the auxiliary coil. The earth leakage unit claimed in claim 1, in which the test button is connected directly to the first end of the auxiliary coil.

Inventors: BAGALINI DANTE, BAGALINI, DANTE
Applicants: CIRCUIT BREAKER IND, CIRCUIT BREAKER INDUSTRIES LIMITED
Application year: 1994
Main classification: H02H3
IPC codes: H02H9, H02H3